Colombo – Jaffna railway track

An open letter to the President Mahinda Rajapakse

By Nagananda Kodituwakku
Letter to Editor

(October 02, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Government of Sri Lanka is trying hard to rebuild Colombo – Jaffna railway track. However, paying no attention to intangible results that it would bring about to the people. In reality, apart from demonstrating to the gullible people that the old railway link is re-established [at an enormous cost] nothing tangible would be achieved by this futile effort. It is worthwhile to ask how the people would be benefited with the reinstallation of the old system, which takes almost half a day to reach Jaffna. It appears that the decision makers are either ignorant or unconcerned about the technological advancements of the railway industry, including the one in India, where it is extremely beneficial to the travelling public and also cost effective. It casts doubt, in the minds of right thinking people, as to whether our decision makers are still in the 18th Century.

Clearly, after the bloody war is ended, the Govt should have taken the advantage of the concerns of the world community that is still very keen about the return of fair treatment, lasting peace and harmony between the people of Southern and northern Sri Lanka.

It is regrettable to note that Sri Lanka is completely out of touch or ignorant of the railway industry standards today. For instance, in France the TGV broke the 200 mph barrier more than half a century ago. Sri Lanka should try to move forward and not backward and what is required today is creation of a fast electric railway track connecting South and North, where the total distance is only 190 miles. In the event the Govt of Sri Lanka make a fervent request to the European Nations, Japan and China, they would very likely consider such a request with a keen interest because the results that such a move would be enormous and clearly outweigh the cost of the bloody war. Making of such a fast tract would help creation of close proximity, trust and confidence between the people of South and North more than ever with the journey time between Colombo and Jaffna cut short to just 1 hour from 12 hours.

As the head of the state, you are the right person to take an initiative in the right direction and to urge for international support for the creation of asst track linking Colombo and Jaffna. Any such move would also demonstrate the true concerns of the govt of Sri Lanka towards the people in Jaffna. The enormous benefits of realisation of such a move to the people is truly beyond imagination.

As at present, over a million displaced Lankans are living in the Europe, which is still rising. Influx of these people has definitely become a strain to the economies in the Europe. Hence, as the lasting peace and harmony would guarantee end of migration of people from Sri Lanka to Europe all chances are there to for international support to make such a project a reality.

-Sri Lanka Guardian